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Friday, January 28, 2011

This 1987 movie is not strictly a kink flick, but it is an erotic romance-- pretending to be a suspense.

The story takes place in New Orleans, (the "Big Easy"). The hero Remy, played by Dennis Quaid, is a half Irish-half Cajun detective. He is properly handsome and cocky. Sadly, his accent is weird and annoying, making him great to look at, but hard to listen to. His adversary, Anne, played by the gorgeous Ellen Barkin, is the the assistant DA. She's out to clean up cop corruption.

Police corruption is prevalent and ingrained. Even the good cops turn a blind eye to the "widows and orphan's fund". That casual attitude changes when a few bad cops take the criminal enterprise to a whole new level.

The NO background is delicious and engaging. (Though Ellen Barkin jogging in her short shorts in the humidity and heat seems both gratuitous and unrealistic.) The sound track is wonderful, with a nice sampling of Cajun and Zydeco.

The sexual chemistry between Anne and Remy is blisteringly hot--even when they don't actually do the deed. Their passion is palpable. Yet the seduction is slow and easy, creating a sizzling tension. Erotic movie scenes don't get better than this.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Years ago, I saw a newspaper ad inviting folks to come to a "writer's support group". I went to the meeting, excited and curious. Bettye, the support group's hostess, told us the goal was to get everybody writing and publishing. Cool. I started to feel uneasy when Bettye asked us all to do some writing exercises. Why would a critique group need writing exercises? I got really concerned when Bettye announced that someday, as a special treat, she'd invite her therapist to be a guest speaker.

It turned out I was attending a "writer's block support group", not a general "writer's support group". I disengaged just as soon as I politely could.

I do get writer's block sometimes. But I wouldn't have a future in writing if I needed a therapist to fix it. In my experience, the nature of the block dissolution depends on my reason (excuse). So herewith are a few home remedies for the block. They are not therapist endorsed.

Excuse: I don't have time. I have other things I should do. I'm tired.Solution: Set the kitchen timer for an hour or so, and write until the timer goes ding-ding.

Excuse: I don't know what's going to happen next. I'm confused. Who is my protagonist? This book is too boring for words. Who do I kill off? My plot is illogical. What is my world like?Solution: Go get a pad of paper, lie down, and daydream without editing. Brainstorm without censor. Write down options. Read your ideas later to get fresh direction.

Excuse: My mind is blank. I'm afraid. I'm tied up like that man in The Long Wait book cover.Solution: Bring up a nice white computer screen and start writing what's inside your head. Stream of consciousness, or observations of the world around you. Or perhaps you can update your blog?